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Excellent

#131 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 11% in state

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus

Elementary School · Richland 02

1261 Kelly Mill Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

Enrollment

550

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blythewood

#4 of 10

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#74 of 680

In district

#5 of 32

Richland 02

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus is a regular public elementary school in Blythewood, South Carolina, serving students from third to fifth grade. With an enrollment of 550 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention. The campus is nestled in a large suburban area, providing a safe and welcoming environment for learning.

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10, placing it at the 66th percentile among schools in South Carolina. Academically, the school scores a 7.4/10 on MySchoolScout, with 61% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 62% proficient or above in math. These figures indicate that there is room for continued academic growth and development.

The school is situated in Richland County and offers a supportive community atmosphere where students can thrive. Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus stands as an integral part of the local educational landscape, fostering a sense of belonging among its students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,024
Chronic Absenteeism4%

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus — Students at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 18 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2014
Math
78%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
71%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
60%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus Compares

See how Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in SC
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
4.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1261 Kelly Mill Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus (rated 9.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Round Top Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Catawba Trail Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Blythewood, see our Blythewood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus Blythewood 0.4 mi 9.0
Kelly Mill Middle Blythewood 0.5 mi 5.5
Ridge View High Columbia 2.2 mi 7.5
Blythewood Middle Blythewood 2.1 mi 6.8
Rice Creek Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 5.4
Round Top Elementary Blythewood 2.4 mi 8.2
Sandlapper Elementary Columbia 2.8 mi 5.7
Bridge Creek Elementary Elgin 2.8 mi 6.5
LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 3.1 mi
Summit Parkway Middle Columbia 3.5 mi 4.9
North Springs Elementary Columbia 3.6 mi 6.1
Langford Elementary Blythewood 3.1 mi 6.8
Bookman Road Elementary Elgin 3.7 mi 7.4
Longleaf Middle Columbia 4.0 mi 5.8
Killian Elementary Columbia 4.3 mi 5.6
L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia 5.5 mi 7.1
Spring Valley High Columbia 5.7 mi 7.5
Blythewood High Blythewood 4.8 mi 9.2
Catawba Trail Elementary Elgin 5.5 mi 7.6
Bethel-Hanberry Elementary Blythewood 5.0 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,122

Median Home Value

$330,900

Median Rent

$1,265/mo

Population

29,193

College Educated

49.6%

Homeownership

83.2%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus has a median household income of $100,122. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,900, with a median rent of $1,265/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carolina Voyager Charter Charleston, SC 8.1
Clemson Elementary Clemson, SC 8.1
La France Elementary Pendleton, SC 8.1
Mt. Lebanon Elementary Pendleton, SC 8.1
Paris Elementary Taylors, SC 8.1
Starr Elementary Starr, SC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus

What grades does Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus serve?

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus?

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus has an enrollment of approximately 550 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus rank in SC?

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus is ranked #131 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus has a composite rating of 8.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus has 67.8% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus a charter school?

No, Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus a Title I school?

No, Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus?

32.9% of students at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Richland County
Chronic Absenteeism
4.0%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Richland 02
District Enrollment
28,917
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,024
District Rank
#5 of 32

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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